Your Get The Look glam squad ran into the lovely visual artist Katherine Silvera-Sunley last month at the opening reception of the 2014 Jamaica Biennial where we were immediately taken with her bohemian coif. The variety-loving Silvera-Sunley, who specialises in installations, mixed media and drawing, and describes her idiosyncratic style as Expressive Afropunk, breaks down the textural palette that makes up her fun, oxymoronic mane.

RELAXED BANGS

“I straighten my fringe because it’s the easiest way to make a statement and change my style up, as with dreads you can’t change the form too much. However, with a fringe I can colour it, cut and/or curl it at a moment’s notice, which gives me a fresh look.”

UNDERCUT

“I shave the side because aesthetically speaking, I think my face looks more clear and clean.”

DREADS

“I’ve had dreads for seven to eight years. I love the texture and feel of having dreads, it makes me feel in tune with my natural roots.”

COLOUR

“I get my hair colour solutions at hair and beauty supply shops.”

FOUND EMBELLISHMENTS

“Throughout the years of having dreads, every time I come across a bead or a tiny trinket I add it to my dreads. Some more significant pieces are one of an elephant, a lady bug and a knot that a close friend made for me from pink, black and white wool, also some crystal beads from a broken bracelet.”

HAIR’S MY STORY

Before my current look, I had a blonde pixie cut, then I started to grow it out. Then I decided to go dreadlocked but leave the front. I feel comfortable and confident with my hairstyle; people generally tend to respond positively toward my look and usually ask lots of questions. But there are times people want to immediately and negatively categorise you and place you in a box, but when they eventually find they can’t pigeonhole you they get really uncomfortable.